Houston @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 8, 2013 ) Houston 0, Seattle 3

If the Houston Astros don't start hitting, they could threaten the 1962 New York Mets as what many believe is the worst team in modern Major League Baseball history. The Astros, who have lost six straight and scored nine runs while being shut out three times during that span, continue their road series against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. The Astros have struck out an alarming 82 times in their first seven games, including eight in their 3-0 loss Monday.

Seattle finished last in the American League West for the past three seasons, but should avoid making it four with Houston moving to the division after the franchise played its first 51 years in the National League. After going 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position in their previous two games, the Mariners went 2-for-6 on Monday - with Kendrys Morales delivering a pair of RBI hits. While the Astros are hitting .201, the Mariners are also struggling at .213.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, Comcast SportsNet Houston, ROOT Sports (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Erik Bedard (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Brandon Maurer (0-1, 9.00)

Bedard made a good first impression on his fifth major-league team by earning a save with 3 1/3 shutout innings of relief in Houston's 8-2 season-opening victory over Texas. The 34-year-old Canadian started Opening Day for Pittsburgh last season and finished 7-14 with a 5.01 ERA in 24 starts. Bedard, the only left-hander in Houston's rotation, is 1-3 with a 5.46 ERA in five career starts against the Mariners. Seattle is one of Bedard's former teams.

Maurer allowed six runs and eight hits in six innings in his major-league debut, an 8-2 loss at Oakland on Thursday and had a simple explanation. "I know what I need to learn now," he said. "I know some things I need to work on, so I'll take that. I think I'll be a little more comfortable the next time." The 22-year-old Newport Beach, Calif., native went 9-2 with a 3.20 ERA with Jackson of the Southern League in 2012 before winning a job in the rotation with a strong spring training.

WALK-OFFS

1. Houston's Chris Carter and Brett Wallace are two of three players tied for the major-league lead with 13 strikeouts while the Astros' Rick Ankiel has 12.

2. Seattle's Nos. 4-7 hitters - Michael Morse, Kyle Seager, Justin Smoak and Jesus Montero - went 0-for-14 on Monday.

3. The Astros are on a nine-game road trip which will also take them to Anaheim and Oakland as they will have faced every team in their new division in their first 15 games.

PREDICTION: Mariners 3, Astros 2